"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

"In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak."

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances."

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete."

"The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy."